Day 31: Pub Food

Hops hangs from the cieling

As Maya had introduced me to my first pub experience and Bulmer’s cider, she decided to extend the introduction into giving me my first taste of pub food, real Kentian pub food.  I grabbed the high speed train again after class and headed  once again for Ebbsfleet International.  I was getting good at this by now.It was a beautiful sunset on my arrival and Uncle was waiting to receive me. After a few glasses of champagne, of course, we headed for Maya’s place and then for dinner.  Maya had chosen a particularly representative pub for tonight’s meal, one that she had been to before and enjoyed. I was excited. I had always wondered if the food in pubs was any good. I had gotten mixed reviews from different people about the quality of food in pubs, but Maya had already proven to be “in-the-know” when it came to good taste, so I trusted her.

An authentic pub in Kent

 The pub was surprisingly packed for a Tuesday night, but the warm candlit tables were cozy and inviting nonetheless. We tucked ourselves away in a nice corner table which Maya had reserved. The buzz of voices surrounding us coupled with the laughter and clink of wine and beer glasses from the bar, created a bubbly atmosphere around the entire space. Throughout the pub, hops hung down from the rafters mimicking grape clusters, giving the cieling the flavor of a Tuscan vineyard.

By now, with two glasses of champagne in my system from Uncle’s house and another one from Maya’s, I was feeling quite relaxed and ebullient. The waiter quoted us the daily specials as we studied the menus and although I hadn’t eaten all day, I felt quite satisfied just sitting there without anything at all. The warmth of the candle glow, the heat of the alcohol rising to my face, the witty banter between Maya and her dad, the chill of wine glass, satisfied me enough and made me content just to do that for the rest of the evening. Although Maya had ensured me of the pub's excellent fare, anything I ate was going to be secondary to simply sitting here in the company of Maya, her mom and dad.

Hmm..what to order

 We started with appetizers while Maya ordered a Chilean white wine. Fried cheese. Are there any other two words in the English language that when paired together, side by side, simultaneously elicit both horror and lust? I’m not sure there is. The starter of fried brie on sliced baguette, drizzled with an incongruous sweet and sour sauce, was both heaven and a heart attack on a single plate. I was sold. Authentic Kentian pub food was already becoming a first class experience.  The Portobello burger which followed next was a melted menagerie of mellifluous mushroom and yes, more brie cheese. Madness. 

FRIED CHEESE!Is this even legal?

We satisfied ourselves in the glow of warm candlelight and hanging hops, gorging on thick chips, onion rings and wine.  Maya and I traded stories of why we chose the medical subspecialties we did, while uncle told us stories of his medical school days. Ironic, three physicians at one table increasing their risk of a cardiac event by the minute, and enjoying every minute of it. Oh well, nevermind, wasn’t there something about wine being good for the heart? Keep pouring.

Satisified beyond expectation, and with the inability to eat another bite, we made our way home. I said my final farewell to Maya with the sincere hope we would see each other very soon, then headed back to the station. As uncle drove at top speeds to try and get me to the station before the last train departed, the waning red moon hovered over Kent.

You were right Maya, this was a great idea!

I had had my first pub food experience and I was certain I would be coming back for more (although not anytime too soon- I had enough calories to last me for a while!). With a nearly full moon overhead, and a completely full stomach down below, I said my final goodbye to my uncle and aunt and caught the midnight train back to St. Pancras.I was going to sleep well tonight.